I ran across this quote recently and thought it was so good. It is so cool to have people in our lives who can see and hear beyond our words. People who see that the light has gone out of our eyes, people who can hear the difference between what we are saying and what we really want to say.

It is also really cool to be THAT person. To be the person who can see and hear when those you love need extra hugs, words of affirmation, extra time, permission to be sad, a bag of groceries, a cup of coffee…….the truth spoken in love.

….the days are fleeting, and only what we invest in others will truly last. Take the time to truly see others….to hear them…and to love them.

The older I get, the more and more I realize how true …..and ultimately peaceful this concept is. When I am really riled up, I can tend to be a hot head and I definitely speak my mind! What is in my mind ….should not always come out immediately though.

As I deal with frustrating situations with my children or spouse, weird people, unfairness, irresponsibility on my part as well as others, loss, change….or whatever it is….I am learning that it is totally ok to say “I need a moment” or “I need to go work for a bit until this anger subsides”.

If I compare the two instances side by side, I always regret the heat of the moment things that are said…..but when I have taken time to step back, think, pray, and try to understand the situation it always ends in a completely different way…..and in a way that I am much more peaceful about.

If I have seen and learned this once…I have seen and learned it a million times. The constant fight to keep what is real, pure, everlasting, and significant before and above the superficial, fake, dust to ashes, status quo.

Culture tells us to rage, primp, plump, add, take away, live for the moment, fit in, stand for nothing, fall for everything….and I for one will fight against all of that until the day I die.

Well, I have exactly ten days until the final deadline for Knack book two is here! In those ten days I have a final photoshoot and much sketching and writing to accomplish! I am nervous, sick to my stomach, excited, coming out of my skin, and everything in between! The nervousness comes from wanting everything to be in on time, but that will go away as soon as I hit the send button. The excitement comes from knowing that months and months of planning and hard work are coming to an end and it feels good….oh so good to turn in this work and get excited about what it means for me and for my family.

Thank you to all of you who continue to cheer me on and let me know that you see me! Your friendship and words of encouragement are so awesome and life giving! I absolutely cannot wait to share this project with you all!